Shorthanded Tigers pull away late from Northwestern
MITCHELL, S.D. – Despite leading scorer Trae Bergh being out of the lineup for the first time this season, the Dakota Wesleyan University men’s basketball team persevered with a win over Northwestern College Wednesday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.
MITCHELL, S.D. – Despite leading scorer Trae Bergh being out of the lineup for the first time this season, the Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team persevered with a win over Northwestern College Wednesday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.
The No. 15 Tigers pulled away late from the Red Raiders late to secure a 92-79 win as DWU pushes towards the Great Plains Athletic Conference tournament and the NAIA postseason. The win, coupled with a loss by Midland University secures at least the No. 3 seed and home court for the first round in the GPAC tournament.
The Tigers were also without junior forward Brady Wohler (Long Lake, Minn.), but got significant minutes from freshman Coby Johnson (Platte, S.D.) and redshirt freshman Aaron Ahmadu (Houston, Texas). The Starting lineup also got a boost from sophomore forward Jason Spicer (Sioux Falls, S.D.).
The teams traded the lead several times in the first half, as Northwestern took a one-point advantage into the break on the strength of a Colton Kooima buzzer beater to close the first 20 minutes. After DWU took a seven-point lead in the second half, the Red Raiders quickly responded with a 7-0 run to tie the game at 52 with 13 minutes to play.
The Tigers answered right back with a 9-0 spurt to pull ahead. DWU did not relinquish the lead the rest of the way, despite Northwestern closing the gap to four point on several occasions. Junior guard Tate Martin (Mitchell, S.D.) hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final five minutes to secure the win for DWU. The Tigers move to 21-8 overall and 13-7 in the GPAC.
Martin scored a team-high 26 points, including four 3-pointers and 10 made free throws, while just missing a double-double with nine assists. The 5-foot-11 point guard was a force on the defensive end as well with three steals and two blocks.
Senior forward Jade Miller (Mitchell, S.D.) stepped up in the absence of Bergh with 23 points, three 3-pointers and nine rebounds. Senior forward Terrell Newton (Huron, S.D.) and sophomore guard Trae Vandeberg (Madison, S.D.) each added 15 points, while Newton added 10 rebounds for a double-double.
The Tigers shot 29-of-58 from the field, 10-of-21 from deep and 24-of-34 from the line, while finishing with 19 assists compared to nine turnovers.
Kooima held Northwestern close for most of the contest with a game-high 28 points on 12-of-23 shooting. The Red Raiders shot 31-of-75 from the field, 2-of-13 from deep and 15-of-21 from the free-throw line.
DWU closes the regular season against Hastings College at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Corn Palace. The game with also be Senior Day as the Tigers will honor Bergh, Miller and Newton prior to the game.
